Whether you’re a seasoned yoga practitioner or just starting to explore the world of downward dogs and deep breaths, you’ll find that yoga has this magical way of capturing hearts. It may be because there’s so much more to yoga than just poses and flexibility. There is a rich history, fascinating quirks, and even some fun facts you probably didn’t know about yoga.
Here are ten fun facts that you might not know about yoga:
1. Yoga is over 5,000 years old.
The word yoga was first mentioned in ancient sacred texts called the Rig Veda. The Vedas are a set of four ancient sacred texts written in Sanskrit.
2. The word ‘yoga’ comes from the Sanskrit language and literally means ‘union’.
As per Yogic scriptures the practice of Yoga leads to the union of individual consciousness with that of the Universal Consciousness, indicating a perfect harmony between the mind and body, human & nature.
3. Rather like ballet, yoga classes used to be just for men.
Women were not invited until 1937! Nowadays, studies suggest that 72% of yoga practitioners are women and there is a strong movement of creating a space for more men to want to practice again.
4. Yoga has 84 basic asanas or poses.
How many can you name?
5. Yoga boosts the immune system and research has shown that it can be anti-aging.
New research published in the Journal of Behavioural Medicine suggests that yoga can be a helpful way to boost your immune system and decrease inflammation in the body.
6. When you hold a strong or ‘power’ pose it can directly strengthen your self-esteem and ‘inner’ strength.
Practicing yoga helps to soothe the parasympathetic nervous system and enhance self- awareness, self-acceptance and emotional regulation. Thereby leading to a more resilient state and a boost in self-esteem. Try standing in a Warrior 2, arms outstretched. Feel the space you take up confidently and the strength and energy moving through your body as you hold it.
7. The longest recorded yoga lesson lasted 56hours!
The longest yoga lesson lasted 56 hrs 57 min and 21 sec and was achieved by K.P. Ranchana in India, from 19 to 21 June 2017. 36 Participants took part in the lesson for the duration to set this record.
8. George Harrison from The Beatles was a famous yogi!
His free time was spent meditating and cultivating his spiritual life and his relationship with God. It was not a secret, as evidenced by his hit song, My Sweet Lord.
9. The world’s oldest yoga teacher taught yoga until she was 101
Tao Porchon-Lynch is the world’s oldest yoga instructor and shows no sign of slowing down as she embraces her second century with the same can-do attitude that has shaped her life. She says the secret to longevity is to live every day full of the “joy of life”.
10.There are over 100 different styles of yoga
At Power Yoga Co. we teach a variety of styles to suit everyone, these include Power Yoga, Yin Yoga, Slow Flow, Pre and Post-Natal Yoga, Chair Yoga, Teens Yoga, Breathwork and Meditation.
Check out our classes here.
For more Yoga history and fun facts about yoga, sign up to our mail list!